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Agent guide: [/agents.md](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/agents.md). --- # System Design Engineer - **Company:** KLA-Tencor - **Location:** Milpitas, CA, United States - **Experience:** Expert - **Salary:** $136,300.0 - $231,700.0 - **Contract:** Permanent contract - **Skills:** Artificial Intelligence, Systems Engineering, Computer Vision, SolidWorks (CAD), Imaging Technology, Integrated Development Environments, Python (Programming Language), MATLAB, Productivity Software, Systems Development Life Cycle, Requirements Management, Signal Processing, Software Requirements Analysis, Systems Integration, Visual Systems, Zemax, Microsoft Power Automate, GitHub Copilot, Modeling and Simulation, Ansys, GPT - **Published:** July 29, 2026 - **Apply:** https://kla.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/Search/job/Milpitas-CA/System-Design-Engineer_2639072 ## About the Role We are seeking a highly motivated System Engineer to lead the development and integration of complex inspection, metrology, or advanced instrumentation systems. The successful candidate will work across optical, mechanical, electrical, software, and algorithm disciplines to define system requirements, manage performance budgets, resolve technical issues, and drive product development from concept through release., * M.S. or Ph.D. in Optical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Physics, Electrical Engineering, Systems Engineering, or a related technical field. * 5+ years of experience in complex system development, preferably in semiconductor, optical instrumentation, robotics, aerospace, medical device, or advanced manufacturing industries. * Strong understanding of: + Optical systems and imaging fundamentals + System performance analysis and error budgeting + Mechanical design principles and tolerance analysis + Mechatronic system integration * Experience translating customer and product requirements into system specifications. * Strong analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills., * Experience with optical inspection, wafer metrology, machine vision, scientific cameras, photodetectors, laser-based instrumentation, high-speed signal processing, and semiconductor process control systems. * Experience with precision optics, illumination, imaging systems, lasers, or metrology equipment. * Knowledge of finite element analysis (FEA), structural dynamics, vibration control, and thermal analysis. * Familiarity with requirements management and systems engineering methodologies. * Experience using modeling and simulation tools such as MATLAB, Python, Zemax, Code V, SolidWorks, and/or ANSYS. * Experience leading cross-functional technical teams. AI and Digital Engineering Skills (Preferred) * Demonstrated experience using AI-assisted engineering and productivity tools (e.g., Microsoft Copilot, ChatGPT, GitHub Copilot, Devin(Windsurf), or similar platforms). * Ability to leverage AI tools for engineering analysis, design reviews, requirements generation, risk assessment, documentation, and troubleshooting. * Interest in applying AI technologies to accelerate system development, improve design quality, and enhance engineering productivity. Desired Attributes * Systems thinker capable of balancing subsystem performance against overall product objectives. * Strong technical leadership and influence without authority. * Proactive with a strong sense of project ownership, urgency, and accountability in delivering high-quality engineering solutions. * Curious, innovative, and eager to leverage emerging technologies, including AI, to improve engineering effectiveness. * Effective collaborator in a fast-paced, multidisciplinary development environment. ## Description * Define and manage system-level requirements, architecture, and performance specifications. * Develop and maintain comprehensive system error budgets, including optical, mechanical, thermal, electrical, and environmental contributors. * Lead root-cause analysis and resolution of system performance issues. * Collaborate with optical, mechanical, electrical, software, and product engineering teams to optimize overall system performance. * Conduct trade studies and evaluate design alternatives balancing performance, cost, reliability, and manufacturability. * Support system integration, verification, validation, and product release activities. * Communicate technical findings and recommendations to engineering leadership and cross-functional stakeholders. * Up to 10% travel required ## Related Videos - [Strange New Worlds: shaping the future of the digital age](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/677-strange-new-worlds-shaping-the-future-of-the-digital-age) - [Cloud Vendor Lock-In - Is it just a new version of the Database Abstraction Layers?](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1185-cloud-vendor-lock-in-is-it-just-a-new-version-of-the-database-abstraction-layers) - [ Evaluating AI models for code comprehension](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1462-evaluating-ai-models-for-code-comprehension) - [The Billion Dollar Machine: First Time Right.](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/393-the-billion-dollar-machine-first-time-right) - [Colorful quantum randomness](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/100257-colorful-quantum-randomness) - [Streaming AI Responses in Real-Time with SSE in Next.js & NestJS](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1630-streaming-ai-responses-in-real-time-with-sse-in-next-js-nestjs) ## Related Articles - [How to Become an AI Engineer](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/331-how-to-become-an-ai-engineer) - [Highest Paying Tech Companies for Developers](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/220-highest-paying-tech-companies-for-developers) - [Dev Digest 121 - AI goes offline](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/456-dev-digest-121-ai-goes-offline) - [How software is steering vehicle technology](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/515-how-software-is-steering-vehicle-technology) - [What is Software Engineering?](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/289-what-is-software-engineering) - [What is Software Engineering in the Age of AI?](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/640-what-is-software-engineering-in-the-age-of-ai)